A recent report from Cyber Defense Group (CDG) has shed light on a significant gap in confidence between executives and security teams regarding cybersecurity resilience. While 92% of IT security professionals feel confident in their ability to manage threats, the increasing frequency of breaches and the projected rise in security budgets for 2025 suggest underlying vulnerabilities that need addressing.
The 2025 Cybersecurity Strategy Insights Report, based on feedback from 300 U.S. IT security professionals, highlights misalignments that are undermining security strategies. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, organizations are urged to move towards a cohesive, ecosystem-driven approach that bridges the gap between technical teams and leadership.
The report uncovers a concerning disparity in confidence levels among leadership roles. CEOs, who have a hand in hiring security leaders and shaping strategies, express a high level of confidence (68%) in their organization’s security posture. However, CIOs and CSOs, who are more involved in day-to-day security operations, exhibit lower confidence levels. Only 31% of CIOs and a mere 5% of CSOs feel highly assured in their ability to mitigate threats, indicating a more realistic view of the existing gaps.
Organizational structures are also under scrutiny, with varying approaches to security team setups. While most organizations have a mix of in-house staff and contractors or fully in-house teams, there is a growing trend towards seeking external support. Key areas identified for improvement include speed and flexibility, cohesive strategy development, specialized expertise, enhanced oversight, and addressing budget limitations without compromising security.
Despite the frequency of security incidents, with nearly half of respondents reporting breaches in the past year, security budgets are only expected to see an 8% increase in 2025. This, coupled with a severe shortage of cybersecurity professionals, poses a significant challenge. The U.S. faces a shortfall of over 225,200 security professionals, leaving organizations vulnerable to evolving threats.
To address these challenges, organizations are turning to virtual chief information security officers (vCISOs) to bridge security gaps efficiently. The benefits of vCISOs include cost-effective leadership, flexible expertise, strategic alignment with business goals, and specialized knowledge for critical security needs.
The report calls for a more integrated, strategic approach to cybersecurity, emphasizing collaboration between executives and security teams, dynamic security models, and leveraging external expertise like vCISOs. By moving from reactive responses to a proactive, ecosystem-driven strategy, organizations can close the confidence gap between technical teams and leadership, ensuring preparedness for the cybersecurity challenges of 2025 and beyond.